The deal comes at a time when mall operators are closing underperforming malls as consumers increasingly shop on Amazon.com and other online retail sites. As customers have shunned the shopping mall, retailers like Starbucks and Nordstrom have felt the pinch.

Working with Jeff Bezos to build nearly 20 million square feet of global real estate has given John Schoettler a rare window into what makes Amazon's founder tick. When Bezos gets involved, he is all in. In meetings about building out the company's South Lake Union campus, Schoettler said his boss was interested in all facets, from the architecture down to the curtain walls, sunshades and glass. Bottom line: “He likes to be involved in the sausage making, meaning he likes to understand how it’s made,” Schoettler said.

Whole Foods said the store had been losing money since first opening and that resuming operations would cost millions of dollars. Kemper Development's Belleuve Square sued after the store closed in October.